Write the difference between genetic biodiversity and species biodiversity that exists at all the levels of biological organisation.
| Genetic diversity | Specific diversity |
| Genetic diversity is the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. | It is the ratio of one species population over the total number of organisms across all species in the given biome. ‘Zero’ would be infinite diversity, and ‘one’ represents only one species present. |
| A single species might show high diversity at the genetic level (E.g. Man: Chinese, Indian American, African etc.) India has more than 50,000 genetically different strains of rice and 1,000 varieties of mango. | Species diversity is a measure of the diversity within an ecological community that incorporates both species richness (the number of species in a community) and the evenness of species. |
| Genetic diversity allows species to adapt to changing environments. This diversity aims to ensure that some species survive drastic changes and thus carry on desirable genes. |
For example, the Western Ghats have a greater amphibian species diversity than the Eastern Ghats. There are more than 2,00,000 species in India of which several are confined to India (endemic). |
“India has greater ecosystem diversity than Norway.” Do you agree with the statement? Give reasons in support of your answer.
With the help of an algebraic equation, how did Hardy-Weinberg explain that in a given population the frequency of occurrence of alleles of a gene is supposed to remain the same through generations?
Organic farmers prefer the biological control of diseases and pests of the use of chemicals for the same purpose. Justify.
Explain the mechanism of ‘sex determination’ in birds. How does it differ from that of human beings?
How has the use of Agrobacterium as vectors helped in controlling Meloidogyne incognita infestation in tobacco plants? Explain in the correct sequence.
Although a prokaryotic cell has no defined nucleus, yet DNA is not scattered throughout the cell. Explain.
Select and write analogous structures from the list given below:
(i) Wings of butterfly and birds
(ii) Vertebrate hearts
(ii) Tendrils of bougainvillaea and Cucurbita
(iv) Tubers of sweet potato and potato
